When it comes to buying pet food it can be daunting looking past all the buzzwords that plaster packet after packet. However, there is one phrase that all pet parents should look for when shopping for food - complete and balanced. Complete and balanced pet foods meet the minimum and maximum vitamins, minerals, protein, and fat requirements for each life stage of a pet. This guarantees that no supplements need to be added to your pet’s feeding regime to meet the crucial dietary requirements that are needed for your pet to thrive.
How do you know if your pet food is complete and balanced?
To have "complete and balanced" in a company’s nutritional statements, a dog or cat food must meet the nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This means the food must contain every nutrient listed in the profile at the recommended level. A complete and balanced diet is essential for a healthy thriving pet. Not only does it ensure they have enough energy for their day, but is also vital for brain, joint and muscle development for younger dogs.
Combining only the best ingredients, K9 Natural Feasts meets all requirements, to be complete and balanced for all stages of a dog’s life. We have created a range of complete & balanced high-meat diets made fresh from New Zealand grass-fed, free-range meats, cage-free chicken, or sustainably sourced fish and provide rich and nourishing proteins and fats for a happy, healthy dog.
So, what K9 Natural Feast is right for your dog?
Offering an aromatic and tempting choice for picky eaters, canned dog food serves as an effective way to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrition and hydration during mealtimes. While canned feasts are often praised for their high-water content, they may contain gelling agents and binders that pose challenges in maintaining the ideal diet for your pet's health.
Enter K9 Natural Can Feasts—a solution for those seeking top-notch nutrition. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest nutritional value of our whole food New Zealand ingredients through minimal processing, including the exclusion of fillers, binders, gelling agents, and emulsifiers. This means, we can obtain the benefits of a wet food diet, whilst providing optimal nutrition for our pets. Not only is canned food a favorable choice for general nutrition, but it also proves beneficial for dogs with specific health needs, such as dental issues. The soft texture of wet food makes it easier to consume, catering to pets with multiple extractions or those in recovery or awaiting dental procedures.
For pets drawn to dry food, our K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Feasts present a convenient and nutrient-dense alternative to both raw and canned diets. Through minimal processing, we retain the natural goodness of a raw high-meat diet in a ready-to-use format, preserving nutritional quality and enhancing taste while maintaining the meal's original shape and color. With no need for refrigeration once opened, it's easy to portion and serve, making it ideal for busy lifestyles and limited storage. Our freeze-dried diets are also a quarter of the size and weight of the original fresh recipe, creating an alternative that saves on space and is perfect for travel. This versatile option can be used for training treats, on-the-go meals, and handfeeding.
Whether wet or dry food is more appealing to your pet, you can be sure that despite the format of your meal, all K9 Natural Feasts have been formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards and are suitable as a complete & balanced meal or a nutrient packed topper for all dog sizes & life stages, including puppies and seniors.
FAQs
“Complete” means the product contains all the nutrients required. “Balanced” means the nutrients are present in the correct ratios. The recognized life stages for both dogs and cats are: gestation/lactation (pregnancy and nursing) growth (includes kittens and puppies)
What does complete and balanced pet food mean? ›
Most commercial pet foods are formulated to be “complete and balanced," “100% complete” or “scientifically balanced.” All these phrases mean the same thing: the pet food has been formulated to meet a recognized standard of minimum and maximum nutrients that a pet requires at the claimed “life stage” on the pet food ...
What is completed and balanced dog food? ›
According to WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, “To be complete and balanced, pet foods must contain all the essential nutrients required by the animal they are designed for, in the correct amounts for the life stage of the pet”.
What is the difference between balanced and complete diet? ›
But what does the term 'complete and balanced' actually mean? 'Complete' means a food should contain all nutrients that AAFCO classifies as essential for a dog, while 'balanced' means that the food should contain those nutrients in the correct proportions as determined by AAFCO.
What is a complete and balanced diet for dogs? ›
The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. These essential nutrients are required as part of the dog's regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body. The minimum dietary requirement has been established for many nutrients.
Is Blue Buffalo dog food complete and balanced? ›
Why does BLUE have both grain-free diets and diets with grains? The body recognizes, digests, and uses both grains and grain-free carbohydrates for energy, and both are part of a complete and balanced diet.
Is Purina One complete and balanced? ›
Purina ONE dog food is complete & balanced, made with no fillers and high-quality natural ingredients, including real meat. Plus, every formula is made with 0% fillers and 100% nutrition to help support his whole-body health.
Is Purina dog food complete and balanced? ›
All Purina dog foods are complete and balanced for the life stage indicated on the package. In fact, we have our own standards that meet or, in many cases, exceed those set by AACO and other regulatory agencies. Our high standards are based on our extensive internal research into quality pet nutrition.
What does complete and balanced diet mean? ›
This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. This page covers healthy eating advice for the general population.
Are eggs a complete meal for dogs? ›
Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.
Balanced: The left and right subtrees of every node differ in height by no more than 1. Complete: All nodes except for the level before the last must have 2 children. All nodes in the last level are as far left as possible.
What does balanced dog food mean? ›
“Complete and Balanced” means: the food contains all the vitamins and minerals needed to prevent most diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies. This means it can be fed as the dog's entire diet.
What is an example of a balanced meal? ›
Balanced Meal Plate Examples
Toast + Avocado + Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Tomatoes. Pasta + Vegan Meatballs + Salad with Olive Oil. Baked Potato + Vegan Butter + BBQ Beans + Roasted Broccoli. Smoothie with Mixed Fruit + Protein Powder + Peanut Butter + Plant-Based Milk + Granola on Top.
What is the healthiest food to feed your dog? ›
16 Healthy and Safe Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
- Cooked and Unseasoned Fish. ...
- Green Beans. ...
- Peanuts and Peanut Butter. ...
- Pumpkin. ...
- Cooked White Rice. ...
- Cooked and Unseasoned Turkey. ...
- Watermelon. ...
- Plain Yogurt.
However, there is one phrase that all pet parents should look for when shopping for food - complete and balanced. Complete and balanced pet foods meet the minimum and maximum vitamins, minerals, protein, and fat requirements for each life stage of a pet.
What does "complete pet food" mean? ›
For a dog food to be labelled 'complete', it must meet regulations laid down by the European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF). These regulations define the levels of all the vital nutrients a dog needs, with the word 'complete' indicating that no supplementary foods will be required in your dog's diet.
What is the difference between a balanced diet and a complete diet? ›
A balanced diet is a diet that provides the body with all the necessary nutrients it requires in order to function optimally. A diet is simply the regimen of food and drink that is consumed by an individual. Therefore, a balanced diet consists of the appropriate foods and drink that would be best for the body.
